32045: ECC 56.4 Torastay – Blackhouse and outbuildings

Summary:

BLACK HOUSE (Post Medieval – 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
HOUSE (Post Medieval – 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
COW HOUSE (Post Medieval – 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
LONGHOUSE (Post Medieval – 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
Blackhouse

Location:

NB 38799 20060

Full description:

"Situated on the north-eastern slopes of Cnocan Biorach between blackhouse (56.3) and enclosure complex (55.3) the fragmentary remains of this blackhouse are orientated from south to north and measure 6 x 5 metres. Surviving primarily at the southern end as a rebuilt enclosure measuring 3 x 4 metres the remains of the larger, original building can be seen as wall footings underneath and to the north of the current building. The full size and phase of this building cannot be established, though the presence of a number of late pre-crofting and crofting blackhouses in the immediate vicinity (56.1, 56.2, 56.3) suggests that structure might date to the pre-crofting rather than the crofting period." (Burgess 2004, 140)

References:

Chris Burgess, Northamptonshire Archaeology. 2004. Northamptonshire Archaeology Archaeological Survey and Evaluation of Eilean Chalium Chille and the Putative Site of the Seaforth Head Castle. Part No Loch Seaforth Head Gazeteer.

Acknowledgement:

Information provided by Western Isles Council Sites & Monuments Record, January 2006.